Strategies in Career Management

Article published in The Philippine Courier, April 2006There must be a better way to deal with unemployment or being in an unfulfilling job than looking at internet job boards and newspaper ads everyday. If this is the only way you have in mind to find that “ideal job” or “better opportunity” as most everyone would call it, then you are in a vicious cycle of revolving doors – coming in and out of company doors.

1. Life Mission: What do you want to be when you grow up? It is amazing how people would be jumping from one job to another, from one company or industry to another, from one career to another, without a hint of what they want to become. Some people could be so directive and focused on their job search that you would think they are absolutely sure where they want to be. However, when you probe a little bit and present options, they would flip-flop in a heartbeat. What does that tell you? It is so sad to learn that some have spent decades in a career that did not allow them to be what they really wanted to become. A career coach can help you get into the core essence of your life mission and reconcile them with your career goals.

2. The Path: How do you get there? There are normally two options: employment or entrepreneurship. It is ironic but making a business grow and marketing it is almost exactly the same way you would market yourself and grow your career. It is amusing to hear people say that they remain employed because they cannot sell. Do you realize that being employed is a continuous and daily process of “selling” yourself to your bosses, supervisors, management team, and co-workers? They call it another name – office politics. It is equally amusing to hear people say that they are planning to get into business to be in control of their time and activities. Any legitimate entrepreneur and businessman will smile knowingly at that comment. Entrepreneurs work 24/7: there are no breaks and no weekends. At any rate, a career coach can help you sort out the web of options and help you create a path towards your career goals based on your life mission.

3. The Support System: What will support you? Look at your skill development and education options to improve your knowledge and competencies. What you’re lacking in Canadian experience (for newcomers) or job goal related experience could be made up for by training and schooling.

Finally, who will support you? Before you launch your career strategies, it is important to gain the approval of your family and friends. Without their support, the way towards your goals could be very rough. You might give up even before you started when people whose opinion you value view your choices negatively. They are either your dream weavers or dream killers. You are the master of your own destiny, but challenges are a lot easier to bear when they are at your side, either silently waiting to help when you need it or giving you encouraging words at your dark hours.